Greetings St. Joseph Parish!
It was a busy August here, and September brings the return of school, cooler temperatures, and - soon - harvest! Start reading to catchup on the latest from our parish!
St. Joseph Parish Life
Chair TBD
Seminarian Corner
Steven Kessler has headed back to seminary for another year of learning and growing closer to Christ as he continues to prepare for the priesthood. He would love to hear from parishioners in the Pastorate, so feel free to send notes, letters, and of course prayers his way. Steven’s address is: Steven Kessler 1000 E Maple Ave Bldg 900P Mundelein, IL 60060.
175 Years Collections
To celebrate 175 years, let's collect 175+ items/month to donate to the Clayton County Food Shelf! Here's what we'll collect and when!
- January - 110 peanut butters & jellies collected!
- February - 235 soups & crackers collected!
- March - 175+ boxes of cereal collected!
- April - 176 canned meats collected!
- May - 168 canned vegetables collected!
- June - 350+ socks and underwear collected!
- July - 332 school supplies collected!
- August - 80 canned fruit and 100% fruit juice were collected
- September - jackets and coats
- October - hats & mittens
- November - Giving Tree presents
- December - toilet paper, tissues, tooth paste, shampoo, and laundry detergent, dish soap, and hand soap
Hold Your Cards!
St. Joseph Parish currently hosts bingo on the first Friday of every month at the Elkader Care Center. Can you volunteer 2 hours every 3 or 4 months? Or could you donate a dessert or pan of bars? Please contact Linda Gardner at 563-880-5011 to help or for more information.
Line Dancing Fun!
Thanks to the 30+ people who came to enjoy line dancing last month! It was a blast!!
Another Treasure Sale in the Books!
Final numbers aren't in yet, but this year's sale was another good one! Thanks to everyone who came, and look at all those tents!
St. Joseph is need of a new Parish Life Coordinator. Please contact Fr. John Haugen or the Parish Center for more information on this volunteer position. Mostly in the background and organizing, this position is vital to the life of our vibrant parish!
St. Joseph Pastoral Council
Bill Erickson, Chair
"Built on History. Growing by Faith."
Mark Your Calendar!
The culmination of our 175th anniversary will take place on Sunday, September 15.
- Mass @ 10:00am
- Lunch following (meal includes St. Joseph Catholic School's famous sloppy joes and brownies!)
- Program on the parish's history @ 1:00pm led by Elkader's David Beck
- Note there will be no Saturday evening Mass on September 14
New Carpets
The flooring of the main room was damaged due a bad connection in the water heater. New vinyl flooring was installed last week, and new carpet will be laid in the next few weeks.
Been a Little Hot?
Yes, a new air conditioner is on the way! Our church's cooling system officially stopped working last month, and a replacement has been ordered. It'll arrive and be installed in the next few weeks!
Bathroom Installation
Have you seen the church this week?? Construction on the new bathroom began on August 26 next to the confessional. This much needed addition will help make our parish more welcoming and inviting to people young and old! Donations are being accepted to help offset the costs; just drop an envelope marked "bathroom" in the collection basket, or bring it to the Parish Center. Also, some have wondered whether our place on the National Historic Register will be affected. The answer, thankfully, is no! The Register is only concerned with the external features and historicity of the building, not with the internal parts. So no changes there!
Faith Formation
Danielle Becwar
St. Joseph Coordinator of Faith Formation
Iowa Catholic Youth Conference
The 4th annual Iowa Catholic Youth Conference (ICYC) targets those in grades 6-8 and their parents. It's set for Sunday, March 30, 2025, so mark your calendars! The event, co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Dubuque and the Diocese of Davenport, will take place at St. Ludmila Parish in Cedar Rapids and will feature the energetic Catholic artist and witness of faith Connor Flanagan. More information will be available later this fall.
Adult Faith Formation
Fran Zichal, Emmaus Pastorate
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
Grief Share Journey
Bereavement Classes will begin again this fall. One will be held at St. Joseph Parish Center on Tuesdays from September 3 until November 26 from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Kandi DeShaw will teach the class. Register for the class by calling the St. Joseph Parish Center at 563-245-2548 with your name and phone number. Another class will hopefully be held at St. Mark; the dates will be determined soon. If interested, please contact the St. Mark Parish Office at 563-928-7200.
What's Labor Day?
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected - the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative. Happy Labor Day!
~United State Conference of Catholic Bishops
That Man Is You
Returning this fall in for a 2nd year, That Man Is You is a faith sharing group for men that meets on Saturdays at 7:00am beginning September 14 at St. Mary Parish. Contact Jerry Ketoff at 563-581-2488 for more information and to register.
She Shall Be Called Woman
A new series for women, this 9-session course will be offered for women of all ages on Thursdays from 6:30pm-8:30pm in the St. Mary Upper Room. Contact Lori Keppler at 563-880-1758 for more information and to register.
Christ Our Life Catholic Conference
September 28 & 29 in Des Moines
Please join us for a weekend of faith sharing, faith building, and praise as we listen and learn from world-class speakers, renowned Catholic exhibitors, and (most importantly) share the sacraments! This year’s speakers include Jason Everet, Jeff Cavins, Sister Josephine Garrett, Fr. Robert Spitzer, and many more.
The cost is $30 for adults, and students and kids are FREE. Doors open at 7:00am for two packed days of speakers, adoration, the rosary, and Mass. For more information, visit www.christourlifeiowa.com. If there is enough interest, the Pastorate will take a bus. Call the St. Joseph Parish Center at 563-245-2548 by September 16 if you are interested in going.
Faithful Citizenship
Watch our website soon for information on forming our consciences during the 2024 election cycle. As Catholics, it's important to keep cool heads and remember our faith as we prepare to head to the ballot boxes!
Baptism Class
The second baptism class of 2024-2025 will be on Sunday, November 24 following the 10:00am Mass at St. Mark Parish in Edgewood. All parents requesting baptism for their child are asked to first attend a class. Please call John Uhal at the St. Joseph Parish Center (563-245-2548) or email him at j.uhal@dbqarch.org to register. Preregistration is recommended but not required. Additional classes will be scheduled in 2025, likely in March and May.
Liturgy & Worship
John Uhal, Emmaus Pastorate
Director of Liturgy & Worship and Webmaster
Worship Schedule Changes
From September-May, Saturday and Sunday night Masses will begin at 4:00pm at Sts. Joseph and Mary Parishes.
Also, confessions and adoration will resume before and after daily Masses, respectively, beginning September 3, except at St. Patrick, whose holy hour will be prayed before Mass on Tuesdays.
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation - September 1
"LAUDATO SI', mi' Signore" - "Praise be to you, my Lord". In the words of this beautiful canticle, St. Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.
So opens Pope Francis' letter to the whole world on the importance of protecting and healing our natural world. As we mark this day, let us each commit to doing one thing to celebrate creation!
Fr. John Haugen, Pastor
~Ordained in May 1984
Priesthood Sunday - September 29
Do we see our priests as human and frail like the rest of humanity? Or do we just see them as supermen, able to withstand all the stresses and strains of being human?
Our priests are very human, maybe even more than most of us. Why? Because they not only have their own struggles, but they accompany us in ours as well.
So this Priesthood Sunday, turn the tables. Let's show our appreciation for our priests by asking about and listening to their human side. Let's thank them warmly for giving up so much to spend their lives in service to others. Try it. You might be surprised to find out your priest is just like you!
Wedding Bells!
Congratulations to Alex Fettkether and Katelyn Kuehner who married at St. Joseph on August 10! May the love they share be a reflection of God's divine love in the world!
KMCH Sponsors
Thank you to our new sponsors! The Emmaus Pastorate Finance Committee has made it a priority to continue our Sunday livestream and radio broadcasts, and we appreciate the directed donations!
- September 1: Leo Monaghan
- September 8: James & Elaine Funke
- September 15: Elaine Sadler
- September 22: Len & Gail Froyen
- September 29: Mary Quinlan
September Mass Intentions
- September 6: Francis Wagner
- September 7: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
- September 13: Patrick Fitzgerald
- September 15: John Nikolai
- September 20: Msgr. Francis Freidl
- September 21: Joseph Voss
- September 27: Janarius Tschirgi
- September 28: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
Social Justice Committee
Colleen Moore, Chair
Clayton County Food Shelf
On August 3, 152lbs of food were donated to the food shelf along with $217.75. Thank you for your generosity!! Our next collection will be Saturday night, September 7. The food shelf especially needs cereal, soup, canned fruit, juice, and toothpaste this month!
Knights of Columbus
John Uhal, Grand Knight
Get Waffles?
Hopefully you were able to grab some waffles on September 1! Thanks for supporting our council! All of the proceeds benefit people with disabilities, graduating seniors, our parish, and our families.
Tootsie Rolls Are Coming!
Look for those familiar yellow vests around Elkader September 20-22! Our annual Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities (aka Tootsie Roll Drive) directly benefits local and state organizations and schools who service these kids and adults.
More Things to Know
The Archdiocesan Pallium Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hiawatha. The Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, will give a presentation at 1:15pm about synodality and Eucharistic Revival, and he will impose the pallium on Archbishop Zinkula during Mass. For those unable to attend, a livestream will be available at www.dbqarch.org/live-broadcasts. Additional details and resources are available at www.dbqarch.org/pallium, including children's activities, crossword puzzles, and trivia slideshows for teens and adults.
What is a pallium? A pallium is a woolen vestment given by the Holy Father to archbishops to be worn during liturgical events. (Bishops are not given a pallium, only archbishops.) It signifies the role of the shepherd and unity with the pope.
DISABILITY INCLUSION EVENT
"Embracing God's Vision of Love"
September 24, 2024 | 6:30pm-8:00pm
Mark your calendars, and plan to join the Archdiocese of Dubuque Disability Inclusion Ministry team as we welcome keynote speaker Charleen Katra, Executive Director of the National Partnership on Disability (NCPD). Charleen is an expert on serving persons with disabilities in all areas of the Catholic faith, and is the co-author of The Adaptive Teacher. This evening gathering is offered free of charge and will be an opportunity to learn more about serving persons with disabilities, including strategies for welcoming and supporting families with special needs in your faith community.
There will also be a daytime event (9:00am-3:00pm) for faith formation leaders, pastors, deacons, and all who serve families with special needs. Cost for the daytime event will be $25. All are welcome!
There will also be a daytime event (9:00am-3:00pm) for faith formation leaders, pastors, deacons, and all who serve families with special needs. Cost for the daytime event will be $25. All are welcome!
Please contact Fran Zichal at 563-880-0873 if you're interested in attending either event. More help is needed for this vital program in our Pastorate!
Got Blood?
St. Joseph Parish sponsored a blood drive on July 25 at the Parish Hall. Thirty-Four people donated blood, and some agreed to give two units. There were 40 units collected in total. Special thanks to students Kimberly Suhr, Reese Berns, Tori Sylvester, and Ty Berns for organizing and working at the event! We are fortunate to have such committed youth and young adults, and the patients needing blood are very appreciative as well! Please express your thanks to the students. Thanks also to Janine Berns for supervising them. Did you know that small communities tend to have larger donations than large towns? Elkader is no exception!!
Never miss an issue of our Sunday bulletin! Catch it on our website as early as Thursday or in one of our five churches on Sundays!
Now more than 250!
The Emmaus Pastorate's Podcast has published its 250th episode! Listen to Sunday homilies and other special music episodes anytime, anywhere. Click here and start listening today!
Upcoming Events
- September 1: St. Mary Parish Mass time changes to 4:00pm
- September 3, 10, 17: Grief Share Journey classes @ St. Joseph Parish Center @ 5:30pm
- September 4: Faith Formation Kick-Off Mass & Registration @ 6:30pm @ St. Mark Parish
- All students and parents must attend!
- September 5, 12, 19, 29: Bible Study @ 8:30am @ St. Mark Parish
- September 7: St. Joseph Parish Mass time changes to 4:00pm
- September 7, 14, 21, 28: Than Man Is You @ 7:00am @ St. Mary Parish
- September 12, 19, 26: She Shall Be Called Woman @ 6:30pm @ St. Mary Parish
- September 15: St. Joseph Parish's 175th Anniversary Celebration (see above for full details)
- September 24: Disability Inclusion Development Day (see above for details)
- September 24: Emmaus Pastorate Finance Meeting @ 6:30pm @ St. Patrick Parish
- September 26: St. Joseph Finance Committee Meeting @ 4:00pm @ St. Joseph Parish Center
- September 26: St. Joseph Pastoral Council Meeting @ 5:30pm @ St. Joseph Parish Center
- September 28-29: Christ Our Life Catholic Conference in Des Moines (see above for full details)
- September 30: Disability Inclusion Monthly Birthday Party @ 11:00am @ St. Mary Upper Room
Do you have something to add to this newsletter? Please send any articles and/or pictures to John Uhal at the Parish Center, by calling 563-245-2548, or by email at j.uhal@dbqarch.org.